Magazine and feed means for fastenerapplying implements



R. B. EDMOND July 16, 1957 MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR FASTENER-APPLYING IMPLEMENTS Filed Sept. 13, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FL. u u fl q i INVENTOR: Rassellfl. Edmond BY w ATTGRAEKS'.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w INVENTOR: Russell BEdmand ATTORNEYS.

R. B. EDMOND E u on July 16, 1957 MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR FASTENER-APPLYING IMPLEMENTS Fi'led Sept. 13, 1955 United States Patent MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR FAST ENER- APPLYING IMPLEMENTS Russell B. Edmond, Westerly, R. L, assignor to Bostitch, Inc., Stonington, Conm, a corporation of Rhode Island Application September 13, 1955, Serial No. 534,078

8 Claims. (Cl. 13)

This invention relates to improvements in fastenerapplying implements and more particularly to the magazine therefor for holding a supply of fasteners such as U- shaped taple with mean for advancing them in the magazine to feed them individually to the fastener-apply.-. ing means.

One object of the invention is to provide an implement of the type indicated having a relatively long arm with staple-driving means at its forward end and constituted as a magazine for containing a large supply of staples with means for feeding them to said driving means.

Another object is to provide a staple-pusher slidable on the. magazine-arm to feed the staples forwardly therealong with resilient means mounted above said arm and connected to said pusher to propel it forwardly on the arm.

Another object is to provide a hinged member extending' above the magazine-arm for mounting a relatively long helical spring adapted for connection to the pusher for propelling it on the arm and releasable therefrom by raising said member to permit the pusher to be removed from the magazine for loading staples into the rearward end thereof.

Another object is to construct said pivoted member in the form of a hollow casing or sheath for housing a relatively long length of the helical spring for adapting it to operate the staple-pusher without undue tension thereon.

Another object is to provide a relatively long spring having its major length encased in said hollow member with a lesser portion of its length extending thereabove and connected by manually-releasable means tothe pusher or propelling it while being conveniently retractable for disconnecting it from the pusher.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated adapted for continuous use over long periods of time without reloading it with fasteners or staples.

A further object is to provide an implement of the type indicated of simple, strong and rugged construction with its parts not liable to displacement or getting out of order during use.

,The invention is described in the following specification illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the present improved fastener-applying implement or stapler shown as Patented July 16, 1957 Fig, 5 is a plan view of the implement shown with the magazine-arm partly broken away;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stapledriving means at the forward end of the magazine-arm;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the head of the implement taken on line 77 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the rearward end of the magazine-arm taken on line 88 of Fig. 1.

Many varieties of fastener-applying means, more particularly hand-operated staplers, have relatively short magazine-arms which can contain only a limited supply of staples so that they require frequent reloading during use. a stapler having a magazine capable of holding a much larger supply of staples; for example, several times the usual number of staple sticks or supply cartridges in which the staples are packaged. The usual method in a device ofthe present type having a much extended or relatively long magazine-arm the spring for propelling the. pusher must be proportionally lengthened and the present invention provides for suchextension of the spring while sheathing it throughout the major portion of its length. The present improvement accomplishes this purpose by providing a hollow member, for example, a tube for containing the major length of the elongate spring, said member being hinged above the magazine and provided with a manually-slidable member thereon connected to the end of said spring and adapted for engagement with the staple-pusher to propel it along the magazine-arm.

As herein shown, the present stapling implement is generally similar to that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,429,269 of October 21, 1947, and as shown in Fig. 1 of the present drawings it may be constituted by a base 2 adapted to be seated on a table, bench or other support and mounting clincher means 3 at its forward end. The rearward end of the base 2 may be provided with an upstanding abutment or bearing 4 for pivotally mounting a magazine-arm 5 having a head 7 at its forward end containing staple-driving means 6. As herein shown, the arm 5 is pivoted to the base 2 by means of a cross-pin 10 extending transversely through the bearing 4 and engaging through an elongated hole 11 (Fig. 4) at the rearward end of the magazine-arm 5.'

I held with its forward end raised above the base 2 as prepared for use with its magazine loaded with staples;

hinged member for containing the main length of the pusher-propelling spring;

shown in Fig. l-by means of a slidable plunger-pin 13. engaging thereunder and forced upwardly by a spring 14 pocketed in the base.

The'magazinearm 5 is preferably constructed in the form of a solid, metal bar 20 of inverted T-shape in crosssection (Fig. 8) with its central upstanding portion of suitable width to serve as a core 22 for supporting the staples s in straddled relation thereon while likewise slidably supporting a staple-pusher 25. The arm 5 is constituted as a staple-magazine with ovenlying side plates 26 formed from sheet-metal (Fig. 8) with lower offset wingportions 27 extending along the projecting sides of the bar 20 and fixedly secured thereto as by welding or riveting,

One object of the present invention is to provide Frm-the lower"oifset wing-portions 27 the side plates 26 extend upwardly with their upper portions bent inwardly in flanges 28 overlying the core 22 of the bar 20 with a clearance-'thereabove for the -crossbar's='of the staples' s and the top of the pusher-251 The'f flangesi 28 serve-as hold-downmeans for preventing the 'staplesr from riding up on the core-223 At the forwardendof the arm 5 the head 7 is consti=- tuted by opposite plates GlP-fastened'in spaced apart -relationship ('Fig.'-7 "and'held in p'lace'abutting-the sides of the bar by bolts 31,' 32--(Fig. l') with nuts 33-screwedonto their ends; 1 The innerfacesof the pllates30 -are'linedwvith thinner :plates- :34 and" the .upperbolt 32 passes -through-s a sleeve 35"whichhol'ds the upper portions-of the plates 30 1? in spaced-apart relationship (Fig; 7) At their: lower ends the plates' a30 h'ave: projections or teats 36. interfitting with-f holes 37 for holding: the platesagainst -longitudinal dis placement on the'armE; The inner. facesof'the plates 30 are-:rnortised at 38 to provideclearance for theilegs of:-

the staples sv and. the sidesvof the pusher at the forward end:of-the:arm 5.

The outer'faces of the plates. are formed with'vertical grooves :39. (Fig. 1.) for receiving the'inturned-fiangest40w a: of ahollowiplunger5tl (Fig; 5) to adaptit to slide .up and':..;.

downion the head-7. The plunger50 .has a knob 511'over-1 lying :its upper .end and joined to the sides .thereof' by :a cross-pin. 52.: Slidable in vertical "grooves 53 pontithecrf inner. faces of theplates 30 of the head 7 is the driver-blade;

15 connected to the plunger 50 for reciprocationtthereby."

A stud56 is riveted through a hole in the front wall of the plungerSll ;with theend of its reduced portion 57project-u ing..through a hole in the. driver-blade 15 for connecting: it with the plunger. .A helicail spring 60 having its upper portion surrounding a pin 61 that-projects downwardly from theknob 51 has its lower-end SUPPOIld'IOIL pointed:

ears 62 (Fig. 4) projecting inwardly from cut-out portions": of the inner plates 34 which line the faces of themain plates.3 0. 'The spring 60 is c0ntractedr(Fig-. 6) asthe.

plunger is depressed to force the driver -15 d'ownwardly..--

for :drivingya staple into the work; the .springi being causedto expand when pressure on .thezknob-5l is released to raise .the plunger 50 into inoperative position .(Fig.w4).. A pawl 65 rockably mounted on the'front wallof the plunger-50 is actedupon by a spring 66 fastened at the.

top'by a screw 67 and plate- 68 to force its lower end throughanopening '69 in the front of the'walllof the-.- plunger. -The pawl 65 .is adapted to be engaged'with .1 detentrshouldersfl) on projections .71 at theupper edgesw of the plates-3il to limit the upward slidingv movement of thefplungen These'and the remaining details of .the..-.-..

staple-driving mechanism have no direct connection with: 'L theipresent invention and therefore are not .further-describedherein. A retractable .staple-supporter-72 (Fig.

6) at the forward end of the core 22 is operatedzby-a pocketedspring 73 for guiding thedescent of the staples s F through the grooves .53 whichiform the throat-for the.-.

staple in the foot 74 on the arm 5.

Referring particularly to the perspective'view (Fig. 3.) the. staple-pusher 25 may be constructed of relatively.

thin. sheet-metal folded to provide a flat top with downwardly bent runners 7.5 adapted to straddle the 'sides of the :core 22 on the magazine-arm 5. An inclined rib '76 formedby bendingthe metal into inverted U-shape and. extending centrally of the top of the pusher 25 serves to 1-.

stiffen and strengthen its structure.

At its rearward. end:

one side of the pusher 25 is slitted and the metal. bent upwardly to form a vertical lug 77 having a rounded proe.

jection 78 at its upper rearward end. The lug.7.7 .is pre f--. erably:reinforcedby an overlapping thicker piece of metal...-

shapedto the same contour and brazed or weldedto its face.

The staple-pusher 25 is propelled forwardly. .on :the..- core .22 by means of a relatively.llong.helical.-spring..80

havingnthe major portion of its.length..sheathed:-in..a

tubular member 85 (Fig; 4). The tubular member 85 is welded-or otherwise suitably fastened to the top of a hinge-member 86 that is pivoted on a pin 87 held in holes in the lining plates 34 (Fig. 7) in the head 7 of the implement. That portion of the spring housed in the hollow member has one end anchored to a pin 88 held in holes at the end of said member (Fig. 4) with a portion of its length looped around a pulley 90 journailed on a pin -91"extending between the liningplates 34. Fr-om the pulley 90 the spring it-teachesrearwardly with its end formedas a'hook 92 for-connecting it to an eye 94 on the end of a sleeve-like-finger-grip '95 slidably.

mounted on the tubular member 85 (Figs. 4 and 5). The finger-grip 95 is substantially spool-shaped with beveled flanges 96 and 97 at its ends, the rim of the forward flange 96 being adapted to engage under the projection 78 of the lug 77 at the rearward end of the pusher 25. The spring 80 is thus adapted to propel the pusher 25 forwardly'on: the magazine-arm 5 for feeding the staples s to deliverathem singly to the applying means.

or the equivalent surrounds the tubular memberSS-abutting thexendof the.hinge-member :86. l. The bumper- 98 is adapted to take the thrust of the sliding finger-grip -95 as thealatteris drawniforwardly" on the tubular member'85 when'it is releasedrfrom theipusher .25 after the'hingemember 86 is swungupwardlytas indicated in Fig. 2. At thisujuncture, practically the fulllength of the springi80 3 is sheathed in thehollow member 85. Likewise, duringfl.

thevadvanceof the staple-pusher 25 for feeding thestaples forwardlyin zthemagazine the spring80 will be increasiingly drawn into and sheathed in the member 85.

80 'will slide saidmember forwardly .on the member 85 until it strikes againstthe bumper 98.' -After the finger:

grip-95 hasbeenreleased :from thepusher 25 the pusher. may =be-.withdrawn-from the rearward end of themaga zine arm 5 for loading it with staples which are usually.

packaged in stick formas refills S. such as shown in Fig.

2. Several; of such-staple-sticks,- dependingon their length,. .1 may-.be insertedinto. the magazine'by sliding them for-r.

wardly. on the..core 22,-the.end of which preferably. pro jects a slight distancerearwardly from the magazine. 1

After a suitable number of staple-sticks have been-in--.

sertedinto the magazine on the arm .5. the staple-pusher 25 is entered into-its rearward end to engage the 'rearmoste staple in the supply, whereafter the tubular member 85 is swung backinto position above the arm 5 and the finger? grip-95 reacted :therealong to engage 1 its flange 96 with the. projection. 78 on the pusher. I Themachineis then.

ready to operate and the staples s may be successively driven'iintothe work by depressing the plunger-knob 51' to slide the plunger 50 which actuates the driver-bladelS...

After the magazine has been filled with staples in the.

rnanner explained. abovethe machine. may;be.operated.by'

placing the lwork; such-as 'asheaf of papers' or'any other articles to be fastened2together,.-in position .overlying the .1 clincher-means .3. on .the base 2. The amrS: is normally.

maintained. :with. its forward. end rocked upwardlyby the spring-pressed plunger 13 in thebearingA on the base 2 andastheplunger-knob 51'is depressed Lthearn'L willfirst be carried zdowmto seatzits foot: 74 against .thetop .:of the workm Continued pressu-re on theknob 51'wil1 then slide the plungen50 downwardly. to causethedriver-blade 15 to descend. against the-crown of a staple s to forceit through thegrooves 53formingthe throatzandidriveit-through the work with its legs clinched against theunder side. thereof:.

When pressure on the knob 51 is released the spring 60 will A resilient bumper-98in the form of a Washer constructed of rubber expand to return the plunger 50 into its upper inoperative relationship and the spring-pressed plunger 13 will raise themagazine-arm 5 above the base 2 as shown in Fig; 1. The implement is then ready for another operation as the staple-pusher 25 is propelled forwardly by the spring 80 to feed another staple into the grooves 53 beneath the lower edge of the driver 15.

When it is not desired to clinch the legs of the staple the present improved magazine-arm 5 may be used without the base 2 by simply withdrawing the pin which connects .the arm with the bearing 4v on the base. That isto say, the magazine-arm 5 with its stapling head 7 may be used as a tacker to drive staples through the work and into other objects by simply disconnecting the arm from thebaseZ. v

It will be observed from-theforegoing specification that the present invention provides a magazine for fastenerapplying implements capable of containing a large supply of fasteners such as staples with especially convenient means for loading it therewith. Due to the extreme length of the magazine-arm it is necessary to employ a relatively long spring to propel the staple-pusher in the magazine for feeding the staples therealong without undue pressure thereagainst. In the present ingenious construction the major portion of the extended pusher-propelling spring is housed within a tubular support which sheaths it and at the same time provides a convenient means for releasably connecting the spring to the staple-pusher.- The connection between the finger-grip and pusher is also adapted for most convenient release and the hinged member carrying the spring may be rocked upwardly out of the way when the staple-pusher is withdrawn from the magazine for loading the staples thereinto. Likewise, when the hinged springcarrying member is rocked downwardly to place the spring in operative relationship the finger-grip may be readily attached to the staple-pusher by practically only a single movement of the hand. When thus connected with the pusher the spring, being of a very considerable length or substantially twice the length of the magazine, will operate without undue tension on the pusher liable to throw the staples out of alinement or otherwise impede their progress through the magazine. It will also be observed that the structure of the implement is extremely simple and compact with the operating parts so designed and coordinated as to prevent disorganization or getting out of order.

While the invention is herein shown and described as applied to a hand-operated stapler of conventional type, it is to be understood that the improved magazine may be used with other types of stapling devices, either handoperated or power-driven, without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a fastener-applying implement comprising a hollow magazine for containing fasteners and a pusher for feeding the fasteners therein, the combination of a member hinged at the forward end of said magazine and normally extending rearwardly in spaced relation above said magazine, a helical spring doubled on itself and extending longitudinally of said member with one end anchored to the rearward end of said member, a member slidable on said hinged member and connected to the opposite end of said spring, and means on said slidable member for manually engaging it with said pusher to propel the pusher forwardly in the magazine.

2. In a stapling implement having a longitudinallyextending magazine for receiving staples and a pusher slidably mounted on said magazine for feeding the staples therealong, the combination of a member connected to the forward end of the magazine by a hinge and extending longitudinally above said magazine, a helical spring of substantially twice the length of said last-named member when extended, one end of said spring being anchored to the outer end of said member, a finger-grip slidably mounted on said spring-carrying member, said spring being doubled on itself with one length extending toward the hinge of said member and its opposite length extending in the reverse direction with its end fastened to said finger-grip, and manually releasable means for engaging said finger-grip with the pusher to propel it longitudinally of the magazine.

'3. In a fastener-applying implement comprising a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners and a pusher slidable on said magazine for feeding the fasteners therein, the combination of a hollow member hinged at the forward end of said magazine and extending longitudinally thereabove, a helical spring housed in said hollow member with one end anchored at the outer end of said hollow member, a manually-operable member slidable on said hollow member, said spring doubled on itself in a loop supported at the forward end of said magazine with one length extending rearwardly and connected at its end to said slidable member, and means for releasably engaging said slidable member with the pusher to propel it forwardly in the magazine.

4. In a fastener-applying implement having a magazine for containing fasteners and a pusher for feeding the fasteners longitudinally thereof, the combination of a tubular member hinged to the forward end of said magazine to adapt it to extend rearwardly thereabove, a helical spring housed in 'said tubular member with one end anchored to the rearward end of said tubular member, means at the forward end of the magazine for supporting said spring doubled on itself with a length thereof extending rearwardly, and a manually-operable member slidably mounted on said tubular member and connected to the end of the rearward length of said spring for sliding said slidable member along said tubular member, said slidable member being manually engageable with said pusher for propelling it to feed the fasteners in said magazine.

5. In a fastener-applying implement embodying a magazine for holding fasteners and a pusher slidable for feeding the fasteners therealong, the combination of a tubular member hing-ed at the forward end of said magazine to extend rearwardly thereabove while adapting it to be pivoted to raise it from said magazine, a helical spring housed in said tubular member with one end anchored at the rearward end of said tubular member, said spring being supported at the forward end of said tubular member with a length doubled back to extend rearwardly above said member, a finger-grip slidably mounted on said tubular member and connected to the end of said rearwardly-extending portion of said spring to cause said finger-grip to slide forwardly on said member, and means on said finger-grip releasably engageable with said pusher for propelling it forwardly in the magazine.

6. In a stapling implement having a longitudinally-ex tending magazine for staples and a pusher slidable on said magazine for feeding the staples therealong, the combination of a tubular member hinged at one end of said magazine to adapt it to extend longitudinally thereabove, a helical spring of substantial length housed in said tubular member with one end anchored at the outer end of said member, a pulley at the forward end of said magazine with said spring looped therearound to arrange one length thereof extending rearwardly therefrom, a fingergrip connected to the end of the last-named length of spring for sliding said finger-grip on said tubular member, and means on said finger-grip releasably engageable with said pusher to propel it in the magazine for feeding the staples therealong.

7. In a stapling implement having a longitudinally-extending magazine for staples, and a pusher slidable on said magazine for feeding the staples therealong, the combination therewith of a hollow member hinged above said magazine and extending longitudinally thereof, a helical spring partly contained in said hollow member and anchored at its end to the free end of said hollow member, means for directing a length of said spring in the opposite direction from that of the length contained in said hollow member, means slideable on said member and connected to the rearward end of the last-named length of said spring, and means for releasably engaging said slidable member with said pusher for propelling it along said magazine.

8. In a fastener-applying implement having a longitudinally-extending magazine with a pusher slidable on said magazine for feeding fasteners therealong, the combination of a tubular member hinged at one end of said magazine and extending rearwardly longitudinally thereabove, a helical spring of substantial extent having its major length housed in said tubular member with one end anchored to the reaward end of said tubular member, a pulley journaled on said magazine to support said spring looped therearound with a length extending rearwardly therefrom, a sleeve slidable on said tubular member and Connected to the end of the rearwardly-extending length of said spring for sliding said sleeve on said tubular memher, and means for releasably engaging said sleeve with said pusher'to propel it longitudinally of the magazine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,042,958 Pankonin June 2, 1936 2,073,959 Crosby Mar. 16, 1937 2,097,865 Stockel Nov. 2, 1937 2,358,317 Crosby Sept. 19, 1944 2,522,931 Curtiss Sept. 19, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 756' Great Britain Feb. 25, 1879 420,302 7 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1934 i l i i 

